@MicHughV: There is a hazard here in Oz. Since the OP wants to
cruise Queensland, and since all crocs here are protected*, the "tinny", an
aluminum skiff, is better in some ways:
1) the crocks are disinclined to bite them [too many people report their inflatables getting chomped on beaches]
2) the RIB then becomes much less safe in these waters for the ride back to the mother boat; no gunnels to protect the occupants from the amphibians.
We know RIBs can flip, ours got sideways on a small wave, the gusty
wind got under the bow, and upside down it went. It was awkward to deal with, because due to the raised bow when upright, it then tried to dive. And of course, the sailboat wanted to go faster, because the breeze was up, which in turn tried to speed up the sinking process! We had to change directions, lessen sail, and very slowly proceed to the lee provided by some trees on shore,
anchor, and then right the
dinghy. None of it would have happened if we had had the
drogue on the
dinghy.
*saltwater crocs, going up to 7 m. long or so (over 21 ft); and the estuarine crocs, a different species, smaller. Both varieties will eat people (Google on "crocodile roll"). Since the authorities disallowed croc hunting, they have spread further south along the coast, as far south at least, as Bribie Island in Moreton Bay. We've never seen the one reported there, but given they can stay submerged for two hours, I suppose that isn't too surprising.
Ann
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